The path from being ‘lames’ to ‘lions’
In a breathtaking 2-0 ODI series victory against India, the world’s top-ranked team, Sri Lanka went beyond their nation’s expectations by redefining themselves as ‘Sinhayo’, or lions, in double-quick time.
The team that struggled to win matches showed mettle, spirit and commitment, earning accolades from everyone including their worst critics. Social media erupted as a positive mood set in to celebrate a team that seemed to have clawed back from the brink with skill and determination.
Sanath Jayasuriya praised the leadership of Charith Asalanka, who took over the white-ball sides at a tough time - AFP
At the heart of the renaissance was interim Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya, whose influence was incisive. An aggressive batsman who is fearless in approach during his playing days, he brought that same energy into coaching. He knew well that the team needed more than just technical guidance. They needed an attitudinal shift.
“The change in dressing room culture was important,” he said.
“We were all on the same page, looking to climb out of the rut we were in. The players supported each other and gave their best to the captain. This was something that helped us in our remarkable turnaround.”
Jayasuriya’s strategy was simple yet deep: he gave players the license to express themselves.
“I told them, ‘I will back you, but you need to bring in your A-game’. I am thrilled that it worked,” he said.
His perspective was the same from when he played under then Head Coach Dav Whatmore and Captain Arjuna Ranatunga. Along with his opening colleague Romesh Kaluwitharana, Jayasuriya transformed how the ODI game was executed in the mid-90s. This was what he was trying to inculcate in his players, that spirit of innovation and audacity.
“There’s hunger in them now to win and they are working hard to do that. This is what I needed from them because there was never a question of their talent and skill levels, which are on par with any other team in the world. But they have forgotten how to win matches,” he said.
His understanding of the game is profound and his ability to inspire the side is invaluable. However, Jayasuriya has had no formal coaching experience; only a 20-year playing career. His appointment, first as a Consultant Coach, then as Head Coach in an interim arrangement, was a gamble by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that paid off.
“Appointing me was a risk SLC took,” Jayasuriya admitted.
“My only experience was playing cricket for 20 years. I was driven by a hunger to win and I wanted these guys to have that same hunger. Losing matches isn’t a problem as long as you fight till the end. I must thank the support staff. They were excellent. It was easy for me because my support staff backed me up and players responded well.”
The road to victory was not without bumps. Sri Lanka had lost the T20 series 3-0 against a relatively new-look Indian side. With a full-strength Indian squad expected for the ODI series, it seemed like the writing was on the wall for the Sri Lankans. There were calls by some fans to boycott the ODI series after team’s outrageous performance in the T20 series.
However, this time those setbacks only seemed to galvanize the team. For every game, Jayasuriya arranged mentoring sessions on Zoom with white ball legend Lasith Malinga. These, along with some master-classes from other cricketing greats like Kumar Sangakkara and Muttiah Muralitharan, boosted the side’s belief in themselves.
“Malinga was excellent in understanding the positives and negatives of the opposition and he gave some vital bowling tips to the team. His experience helped us big time,” Jayasuriya pointed out.
Before the series began, Jayasuriya, with the help of former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara, brought down a batting consultant attached to the Rajasthan Royals. Zubin Bharucha conducted a few batting sessions with the batters and it has had an immediate impact with Sri Lanka top order performing consistently.
“What I wanted these guys to do was to play attacking cricket and I requested the SLC to get down Zubin. He did few sessions with our players during his one week’s stay and you can see how it had impacted them,” Jayasuriya commented.
“Although the middle order did not click, there was a visible difference in the top-order batting. If we continue this way, we can beat anyone.”
Jayasuriya also praised the leadership of Charith Asalanka, who took over at a very tough time.
“He has the players’ backing, and that’s very important,” said Jayasuriya.
“He lost the T20 series, but then we regrouped and put on a good performance in the ODIs against India.”
Adding to that, if Jayasuriya’s inspirational coaching and the collective effort of the squad worked as one, Asalanka’s leadership was the much-needed final boost.
This rare win is a reminder that in sports, as in life, a setback is just a prelude to a greater comeback if you have the will to change the course of the journey. Like the phoenix from the ashes, the once-mocked and maligned Sri Lankan cricket team arose afresh. The challenge, however, is to keep fighting consistently, something that has been sorely lacking during the last decade.